Wedding of a Lifetime

Austin wedding experts share favorite vendors for an affair to remember

Flowers from floral designer David Kurio.

Photo by Jodee Debes

Bells are ringing, and Austin wedding season is heating up. Austin has also become a destination-wedding site, so how do you go about planning an affair to remember in Austin? We have consulted some of Austin’s top wedding planners to gather their suggestions on vendors for a luxe wedding — when the sky's the limit on the budget.

Wedding planner: Victoria Hentrich, Hentrich Creative Consultants
Victoria Hentrich has been planning Austin’s most beautiful weddings and events since the 1980s and is the go-to planner for all things. With an international celebrity client list that includes soirees for everyone from Willie Nelson to Kendra Scott to the Queen of England, Hentrich has an exceptional list of talented and accomplished vendors and an eye for giving each wedding an individual flare with her touch of class.

The dress: Serendipity Bridal
In business for 29 years, this full-service bridal salon has high-end designer gowns, bridesmaids dresses, and accessories. Their curated collection includes exclusive designers from the U.S., Canada, Europe, and even New Zealand. The new location provides an experience just like the movies – one-on-one consulting, large private dressing suites, and a lovely area for friends and relatives to oooh and aw as you try on arm loads of dresses and accessories. It all ends with a celebratory champagne toast when you find “the” dress.

Venue: Hotel Van Zandt
When the sky is the limit, why not host your wedding from a hotel rooftop with a spectacular view of the city. The Hotel Van Zandt has one of the best. Their in-house wedding planner can also help arrange everything from the wedding feast and reception to blocking rooms for out-of-town guests and in-town revelers. Other venues with spectacular rooftop views include the W hotel, the Omni Hotel, the Westin, and the JW Marriott.

Floral design: David Kurio
Hands down the go-to high-end florist in Austin, Kurio has added his signature touch to hundreds of memorable Austin events and weddings. Kurio connects with his clients by listening to their vision for their dream day and guiding them as he expertly transforms the venue they have selected into a memorable setting. “My goal is to create an environment that will evoke memories for both family and guests for years to come," says Kurio.

Cake: Sweetish Hill
In business for over 40 years, many Austinites have grown up with birthday cakes and pastries from this venerable bakery. Their personalized consultation includes samples of seven cake flavors from traditional to modern, design ideas including custom frosting and fresh flowers and fruit, as well as cake styling.

Caterer: Crave
Crave is a full-service caterer and will take the stress out of your reception. Beginning with a private tasting and consultation, attention is paid to every detail of the customized menus and arrangements. Crave caters wedding large and small in and around Austin.

Photographer: Stephanie Hunter
Hunter’s fine art photographs have a romantic feel perfect for wedding photography. Hunter uses both film and digital images to create an organic look that captures the moments that are unique to each wedding. She has been awarded "Hall of Fame" and "Best of Weddings" designations by The Knot and gets rave reviews from her clients.

Music: Alyse Black and the True Velvets
How do you choose from among hundreds of great musicians residing in the Live Music Capital of the World? Go with a band that is going to have them dancing the night away. Alyse and the True Velvets will customize the song list from three different repertories — jazz, pop/rock, and originals.

weddings

Hoppily Ever After

6 Hill Country wedding spots perfect for craft beer lovers

Photo courtesy of Treaty Oak Distilling

Say “I do” while celebrating your love for craft brew.

Wedding season is in full swing, so what better way to toast your nuptials than with a local beer? Luckily, Austinites don’t need to plan a destination wedding in the Pacific Northwest to incorporate craft beer into our big day. Check out these swoon-worthy spots to say “I do” while celebrating your love for craft brew.

Altstadt Brewing
Be one of the first to host a wedding at this German-style brewery in Fredericksburg. Inspired by the German purity laws of 1516, Altstadt Brewing only uses four main ingredients (water, grain, hops, and yeast) in the crafting of its beer. The event hall will be opening in mid-summer 2018 and its décor is a blend of rustic modern complete with a grand indoor wood-burning fireplace. Outside, the exterior resembles an old German town, creating the perfect backdrop for wedding photos. The venue is also situated on 300 acres of land, and bordered by the picturesque Pedernales River.

Alamo Beer Company
One of San Antonio’s best local breweries, Alamo Beer Company began production in December 2014, making it the first time since Prohibition that a beer named “Alamo” has been produced in the Alamo City. Situated right under Hay Street Bridge (a great spot for sunset pictures), it has an industrial vibe and outdoor beer garden making it ideal for smaller events such as intimate weddings, rehearsal dinners or engagement parties. Bonus? It’s dog friendly. The beers on tap range from a traditional unfiltered Belgian-style wheat beer, an IPA brewed with American hops, and a German Pale Ale, just to name a few.

Ceres Park Ranch
Celebrate your wedding among the rolling hills of the Texas Hill Country with a Jester King beer brewed in the authentic farmhouse brewery on site. The 100-acre space is perfect for a rustic, countryside wedding, and the venue offers wood picnic tables, wine barrels, and hay bales that can be staged throughout the property.

Hotel Emma
As the story goes, Hotel Emma was once home to a brewhouse established in 1881 as the J.B. Behloradsky Brewery. It was sold in 1883 to the San Antonio Brewing Association, and by 1916 it was one of the largest breweries in Texas. Beer lovers will find themselves in awe over the history, and geeking out over the old grain silos, brewing machinery, and original cellars. With five different wedding venues, the hotel is the ideal locale for large and small events ranging from wedding, rehearsal dinners, and bridal showers. The hotel is also pooch-friendly so your dog of honor can be there while you get ready for your big day.

Treaty Oak Distilling Ranch
The expansive ranch that is home to Treaty Oak’s brewing and distilling operations offers plenty of options for weddings and receptions. And the flexibility extends to the catering, too. Although the property's Ghost Hill Restaurant can cook up a feast using their on-site pit, the venue will also work with other vendors to make every wedding day special. The breathtaking Hill Country views aren’t shabby either.

Twisted X Brewing
This Dripping Springs brewery, known for its Tex-Mex beers, has just the right casual vibe for rehearsal dinners or bachelor/ bachelorette parties. It's also a lifesaver for many a procrastinating best man or maid of honor. Even without a reservation, give the brewery some notice and they will make sure your friends have the time of their lives.

weddings craft-beer